Noisy neighbours to be thorn in Man United’s side once more

With Manchester City’s impressive recent record against Manchester United, Manuel Pellegrini’s credible history against the Red Devils, and potentially unsettling changes at Old Trafford, expect City to win both of the side’s Premier League fixtures next season, available at 9/2 with Ladbrokes.

Over the last two campaigns, City have won three of the four league games, including of course, the 6-1 thrashing at Old Trafford.

And with key players such as Yaya Toure and Sergio Aguero still around, as well as new signings Jesus Navas and Fernandinho arriving to bolster the squad, the Sky Blue Moon is set to rise over Manchester once more.

When Pellegrini was in charge at Spanish club Villarreal, his low-budget side met Manchester United on four occasions, with neither side managing a goal in 360 minutes of football; especially surprising given United’s prolific scoring in the Champions League at the time.

Indeed, in between the two 0-0 draws at Old Trafford in 2005 and 2008, The Reds won all 12 home fixtures and amassed a healthy total of 30 goals – including the famous 7-1 drubbing of Roma, and a 3-2 triumph over eventual champions AC Milan.

The four clean sheets indicate the Chilean has a defensive nous to match his talent for setting up attacking teams. Further evidence of which, was provided byMalagarunning Borussia Dortmund close for a Champions League final spot this season.

Pellegrini has also gone toe-to-toe with Sir Alex Ferguson’s replacement, David Moyes, in a Champions League qualifier in 2005. On that occasion Villarreal triumphed 4-2 on aggregate with United reject Diego Forlan featuring on the score sheet.

With his experience of making major signings and handling star names at Real Madrid – he bought Cristiano Ronaldo, Kaka and Xavi Alonso – another positive; the odds of 4/5 available on Manchester City collecting some silverware could even have Sheikh Mansour running to his local bookies.

All odds and markets correct at time of publication.